Satisfaction all-round as both York and Millers show obvious progress

Nick Westby

Maintaining momentum was the order of the day for the two Yorkshire clubs in Johnstone’s Paint Trophy action at Bootham Crescent on Tuesday night.

And even for the team that was beaten, York City, that was achieved.

A committed performance full of energy and enthusiasm against 3-0 victors Rotherham United earned manager Nigel Worthington’s praise.

The task now, with no game for 10 days due to four international call-ups at City, is to work hard on the training ground to continue the feelgood vibes built up from a run of seven points earned from their last three League Two games.

“Take apart the scoreline, we put in a good performance (against Rotherham) and that was important,” said Worthington.

“And the work carries on now and there’ll be a full focus on Newport away and we’ll be ready for that. We’ll try and keep the League form, ie performance-wise and results-wise going from the last three and add to it.

“To do that we continue to work. The players will be in Thursday and Friday, they’ll have a rest period at the weekend and they’ll be back in fresh on Monday.

“Just because there’s no game, work doesn’t cease.”

For Rotherham manager Steve Evans, a seventh win of the season brought satisfaction at the progress being made by his club.

A year ago last weekend they drew 0-0 in a League Two game at Bootham Crescent, when far more than progression to the third round of the JP Trophy was on the line.

“I think it shows how far we’ve come in a year that we can rest five players and still have more than enough,” said Evans, whose side sit sixth in League One and face a big test at home to Swindon on Saturday. York are a better team than they were last year.

“Winning’s a habit, and losing’s a habit, just look at the teams on the other side of the M1 (Sheffield United and Wednesday).”